Lamp socket access



jtm@ M67 A H, WlNYARD ETvAL 3,324,450

' LAMP SOCKET ACCESS Filed March l5, 1965 5 SheetS-Sheet l INVENTOMl r/mr M. Wim/mrd June w67 A. H. WINYARD ET Al- 3,324,459

LAMP SOCKET ACCESS Filed'MrCh 15, 1965 5 sheets-sheet INVENTORS`l Arf/mr H. Winyam/ Alle 52 Van Sly' Naber# Ply/er @Y C l June 1967 A. WINYARD ET AL 3,324,450

LAMP SOCKET ACCESS Filed March 15, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Arf/wf H. Ward Alle S. Mm Sly/Ire Raben 6. Ply/@r Meir amey Jun@ 6, W7 A. H. WINYARD ET AL LAMP SOCKET ACCESS 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March l5, 1965 INvgsNToR rbur H. Wim/0rd Alle 5. Mm S/ye Rober? G. Ply/er Tim/'r Aff/wey June 6, 1967 A H WlNYARD ET AL LAMP SOCKET ACCESS 5 Sheets-Sheet s Filed March l5, 1965 INVENToR Arf/"w w. Www/d //en 5. Van SI1/lm Roberf Myer 3,324,450 LAME SGCKET ACCESS Arthur H. Winyard, Cortland, Allan S. Vari Slyke, Southington, and Robert G. Plyler, Niles, Ghio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar.,15, 1965, Ser. No. 439,861 12 Claims. (Cl. 339-128) This invention relates to lamp socket access, and, more particularly to movable lamp socket means which always remain adjacent to a vehicle panel though readily accessible for lamp bulb replacement per se.

Quite often it is difficult to reach `a lamp socket means behind a vehicle dashboard panel for example. Also a small lamp socket means is difficult for a large hand to hold and attempt to fit properly into engagement with the periphery of a mounting aperture. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an insulating means havi-ng a lamp socket portion integral therewith though loc-ated to have a gap or cutout along substantially three sides thereof `and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness therebetween to one side thereof to permit pivotal movement in a path always properly aligned for installation of the lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of a vehicle component.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide an insulat- -ing means having a terminal-fitted prewired lamp socket portion integral therewith though located to have an integral movable platform portion defined peripherally by a gap or cutout along substantially three sides thereof and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness therebetween to one side thereof to permit pivotal movement -in an arcuate path of substantially 90 degrees always properly aligned for installation of the lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of a vehicle component.

Another object of this invention is to provide an insulating means having a terminal-fitted prewired lamp socket portion integral therewith though located to have an integral movable platform portion defined peripherally by a -U-shaped gap or cutout `along substantially three sides thereof and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness therebetween to one side thereof to permit pivotal movement in an arcuate path of substantially 90 degrees always properly aligned for installation of the lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of a vehicle component, the lamp socket portion including cam means to interlock with the periphery of a dashboard panel opening.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cluster of lamp socket portions each integr-al with an insulating means and each having a terminal-fitted prewired lamp socket portion integral therewith though located to have an integral movable platform portion defined peripherally by a U-shaped gap or cutout -along substantially three sides thereof and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness therebetween to one side thereof to permit pivotal movement of each lamp socket portion in an arcuate path of substantially 90 degrees always properly aligned for installation of the lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of a vehicle component such as a dashboard panel, the lamp socket portion including cam means to interlock with the periphery of a dashboard panel opening.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination -a cluster of lamp socket portions e-ach integral with an insulating means and each having a lamp socket portion integral therewith though located to have an integral movable platform portion defined peripherally by .a gap or cutout along substantially three sides thereof and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness there- 1,324,445 Patented June 6, 1967 between to one side thereof to permit pivotal individual movement of each of the lamp socket portions in an arcuate path of substantially degrees always properly -aligned for install-ation of the lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of a vehicle component such as a dashboard panel, the lamp socket portion including cam means to interlock with the periphery of a dashboard panel opening.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of lamp socket structure having features in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is -a cross-sectional view taken along line 3 3 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of another lamp socket structure having features in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is an end View of the structure of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional View taken along line 6 6 in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is .a cross-sectional view taken along line 7 7 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a metal blank for one type of terminal means usable in the structure of the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is a side view of uterminal means made from the blank of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an end view in the direction of arrow 10 in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a plan View in the direction of arrow 11 in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is -a plan view of instrument panel connector means also having features in accordance with the present invention. FIGURES 14 and 15 are side and end views taken in the direction of yarrows 14 and 15 respectively in FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of s-tructu-re in FIGURE 13. FIGURES 17 `and 18 are sectional views taken along lines 17-17 and 18--18 respectively in FIGURE 16. FIGURE 19 is a view in a direction of arrow 19 in FIGURE 18.

In FIGURE 1 there is shown a fragment of a piece or member Ztl of insulating material of predetermined thickness and adapted to be mounted adjacent to the vehicle instrument panel `and the like. This insulating material 2t) can be provided with a plurality of lamp socket portions in predetermined clustering and one of such lamp socket portions indicated by reference numeral 21 is shown in the views of FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. To yaid in understanding of the features of the present invention, a full showing of Wiring W is avoided though an outline thereof is provided in views of FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. It is to be understood that such lamp socket portions such as 21 are to be prewired with terminal means snap fitted the-reto preferably to receive `a wired wedge base lamp bulb in a manner similar to that illustrated by patent 3,017,599-Loesch issued January 16, 1962 and belongin-g to the Vassignee of the present invention. Also, terminal means illustrated by views of FIGURES 9-12 inclusive of the present drawings can be used in the lamp socket portion 21 for example.

The lamp socket portion 21 includes a hollow interior 22 divisible into a pair of passages by a transverse wall portion 23. Shoulder means 25 can be provided inside the passages 22 for interlock of terminal means thereto in a well-known manner. In accordance with the present invention, the lamp socket portion 21 includes a pair of diagonally opposite abutments or cam means 26 extending beyondl the lower surface of insulating material 20 and laterally beyond the opposite, outside, parallel edges of a pair of parallel slots or gaps 27 joined to each other by an arcuate curved gap or slot portion 28 collectively having a IU-shaped configuration. The gaps or slot configuration 27-28 as best seen in the view of FIGURE 1 surround the lamp socket portion on at least three sides thereof through the lamp socket portion is integral with a movable platform portion 29. The platform portion 29 carrying the lamp `socket portion 21 has one side thereof integral with a hinge means 30 of reduced thickness as can be best seen in the view of FIGURE 2. This .hinge means 30 is also integral with the insulating piece 20 though offset to one side thereof such that the lamp socket portion 21 can be pivotally moved for substantially 90 -degrees as permitted by a cutout or semi-arcuate recessing 31 on one side of the reduced thickness hinge means 30. The cam l-ugs 26 `can thus be forced peripherally into engagement with a dashboard paneling 32 having aperturing 33 as indicated in the view of FIGURE 3. However, regardless of the position of the lamp socket portion 21, the integral hinge portion 30 maintains proper alignment for pivotal movement of the lamp socket portion into or out of engagement with the aperturing 33 of the dashboard panel 32. Therefore the lamp socket portion 21 is always pivotally movable but never completely removable from the insulating piece 20 because of the hinge configuration 30 in accordance with the present invention.

In FIGURE 4 there is shown another insulating piece or member 40 also having a cluster of at least two or more lamp socket portions 41 integral with a platform portion 42 joined to the insulating piece 40 by way of hinge mean-s 44 visible in views of FIGURES 4 and 5. The lamp socket portion 42 can have suitable passages 45 therein for receiving prewired terminal means interlocked therewith by suitable shoulders 46. The hinge portion 44 is located at an end of the platform portion 42 integral with the insulating piece 40 which serves to hold together a cluster of such pivotally secured lamp socket portions. The platform portion 42 permits substantially 90 degrees pivotal movement due to provision of the cantilever support thereof by the hinge means 44. A free end of the platform portion 42 includes a locking tab 47 along termination of an inclined or slanting surface 48. The locking tab 47 can engage the periphery of an adjoining dashboard panel aperturing. The platform portion has a substantially U-shaped gap or slot 49 extending on at least three sides thereof together with a pair of `slot extensions 50 parallel to each other.

Views of FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 show a barrier or dividing wall having a primary portion 51 extending Iaxially to one side of the lamp socket portion 41 in a direction away from 4the inclined or slanted surfacing 48. This barrier or dividing Wall serves not only to separate the prewired terminal means from each other as installed into the openings or hollow passages 45, but also to provide a gripping portion for finger means to permit pivotal movement and shifting of the lamp socket portion at substantially right angles to the insulating piece 40 and again into substantial alignment of the platform portion 42 to be coplanar generally with the insulating piece 40.

The hinged lamp socket portions illustrated in views of FIGURES 1-7 inclusive of the drawings eliminates inventory of loose lamp sockets and possible loss or displacement of illumination due to misalignment of lamp socket installation relative to an aperture panel. 'Each of the hinged lamp socket portions can be removed from an instrument hole for aperturing for bulb removal and replacement. Each of the hinged lamp socket portions can be prewired as one large connector body having a wiring harness adjacent to the insulating pieces 20 and 40 for example. The pivotal action permitted by the molded-in hinge portions enables each of the lamp socket portions to be moved substantially 90 degrees from its normal position for bulb removal. The socket is then returned to its normal positioning interlocked in place with the periphery of an aperture of a vehicle instrument panel.

FIGURE 8 of the drawings shows a plan view of a metal blank having a body portion 60 as well as first and second side wing portions 61 and 62 respectively, which are bent into a substantially U-shaped configuration illustrated in FIGURE 9. These wing portions 61-62 are subsequently crimped around an exposed inductor or wire (not shown) having insulation thereon engaged by further I-shaped wire stabilizing tabs 63 that can be seen in FIGURES 8, 9 land l0. The win-g portion 62 is sheared from the body portion 60 along theree edges to leave an aperture 62A that can be seen in FIGURE 10. The terminal Ibody portion `60 further includes laterally opposite integral transverse extension 64 as well as in an integral locking tab 65 longitudinally thereof and in alignment with a downward rib or strengthening embossment 66 seen best in FIGURES 9 and 1l-12. Further strengthening for rigidity of extension 64 is provided by angular deformations 67 along opposite sides of body portion 60 as can be seen in views of FIGURES 9 and 1l-12 also. The transverse extensions 64 are bent into a squared configuration as can be seen in views of FIGURES l0 and 12. A pair of tongue or contact engaging portions 68 extend longitudinally of the body portion and integrally from `the transverse extensions 64 in a direction away from the wing portions 61 and 62 as illustrated in the blank of FIGURE y8. These tongue portions are bent inwardly toward each other to terminate in a pair of arcuate or angularly extending ends 69 as can be seen in the views of FIGURES 8, l0, 1l and l2 particularly. Suitable lamp bulb means of -a wedge-base type can be fitted resiliently and snugly in a gap 60G between the ends 69 of tongue portions 68 in a location laterally adjacent to tapered ending of rib or embossment 66. This gap 69G is illustrated and seen best in views of FIGURES 10, l1 and 12 of the drawings.

In FIGURE 13 there is a plan view of vehicle instrument panel connector means generally indicated by numeral 70 having a body portion of insulating or plastic material also visible in views of FIGURES 14-19 inclusive. Plural lamp socket portions 71 in predetermined locations as seen in FIGURE 13 are provided and one of these is enlarged to show details thereof in FIGURES 16-19 inclusive. In structure similar to that of FIGURES 1-3 and 4-7, each lamp socket portion has a hollow interior 72 divided into a pair of passages by a transverse wall portion 73. These passages of the hollow interior 72 are squared to complement the configuration of extensions 64 of terminal means of FIGURES 8-l2. Suitable abutments 74 are provided along sides of the hollow interior of the lamp socket portions to be fitted against locking tab 65. Pre-wired terminals of a type shown in FIG- URES 812 are fitted to opposite sides of wall portion 73 in the hollow interior 72. Each lamp socket body portion has an outer stop or lug 75 which can engage an offset or projection 76 integral with the instrument panel connector means 70. The lug 75 and projection 76 can be seen best in FIGURES 16-l7. Engagement therebetween assures a positive stop or limit to pivotal movement of the lamp socket portion due to provision of a pair of parallel slots 77 joined to each other by an arcuate gap or curved slot 78 collectively defining a U-shaped platform portion 79 with a hinge means 80 to one side thereof. The hinge means 80 has a reduced thickness as can be seen in FIGURE 17 with offset recessing on either side thereof and integral between the platform portion 79 and instrument panel connector means 70. The lamp socket portion 71 can be pivotally moved about the axis of hinge means 80. Extended skirts or flanges 81 of transverse partitions 82 integral with platform portion 79 are provided to shield pre-Wired terminal means fitted to the lamp socket portion 71. An access opening 83 through platform portion 79 to one side of one portion 82 is provided. A suitable tool can be inserted through opening 83 and against outward segment 84 during pivotal movement of the platform portion to gain access for lamp bulb means (not shown) fitted to the pre-wired terminals of the socket and more readily serviced or replaced due to features of the present invention. Regardless of the position of an individual lamp socket portion as to panel connector means 70, the integral hinge portion 88 maintains proper alignment for pivotal movement of the lamp socket portion into or out of substantially normal positioning thereof represented in the drawings. Therefore each lamp socket portion 71 is always pivotally movable but never completely removable from the insulating panel connector means 70 which can be transversely reinforced for rigidity by integral spacer ribs 85 adjacent to each hinge means as well as by substantially T-shaped junctures of edging 86 on opposite sides thereof. Mounting holes 87 as well as I -shaped locking arms 88 can be provided with the panel connector means for mounting support thereof as to a vehicle dashboard or instrument arrangement.

While the embodiments of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

We claim:

1. Structure for use on a vehicle component such as a dashboard panel where access space is limited, an improved lamp socket access structure comprising, an insulating means including at least one lamp socket portion integral therewith though located to have a cutout along substantially three sides thereof, and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness therebetween to one side thereof to permit pivotal movement in a path always properly aligned for installation of said lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of a vehicle component.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said integral hinge portion is transverse to said cutout adjacent to ending thereof and pivotal movement in an arcuate path of substantially 90 degrees can occur at the illuminating position subject to access for lamp bulb replacement in situ as pivoted.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said lamp socket portion has an integral platform extending laterally therefrom integral at one end with said hinge portion, said platform being substantially coplanar to said insulating means in illuminating position of the vehicle component.

4. Structure for use on a vehicle component such as a dashboard panel where access space is limited, an insulating means comprising, a terminal-fitted prewired lamp socket portion integral therewith though located to have an integral movable platform portion defined peripherally by a U-shaped gap as cutout along substantially three sides thereof, and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness therebetween to one side thereof to permit pivotal movement in an arcuate path of substantially 90 degrees always properly aligned for installation of said lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of the vehicle component.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said lamp socket portion includes cam means to interlock with periphery of a dashboard panel opening.

6. Structure for use on a vehicle component such as a dashboard panel where access space is limited, comprising, a cluster of lamp socket portions each integral with an insulating means and each having a terminal-fitted prewired lamp socket portion integral therewith though located to have an integral movable platform portion defined peripherally by a substantially U-shaped gap cutout along substantially three sides thereof, and an integral hinge portion of reduced thickness therebetween to one side thereof to permit pivotal movement of each lamp socket portion in an arcuate path of substantially degrees always properly aligned for installation of said lamp socket portion in an illuminating position of the vehicle component.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein each said lamp socket portion includes cam means to interlock with periphery of a dashboard panel opening.

8. In combination, an insulating panel and lamp socket means with laterally outwardly extending platforming thereon defined peripherally by a gap cutout along substantially three sides thereof, and integral hinge means of reduced thickness between said platforming and insulating panel to permit pivotal movement of lamp socket means in an arcuate path of substantially 90 degrees always properly aligned for installation of the lamp socket means in an illuminating position of a vehicle component such as a dashboard panel.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said lamp socket means includes cam means to interlock with periphery of a dashboard panel opening in one direction of pivotal movement.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said platforming has a lug integral therewith in a location remote from said hinge means, said lug having an intermediate location along the gap cutout and engageable with a projection complementary thereto as a limit to pivotal movement.

11. The combination of claim 8 wherein said panel has ribs and projections laterally thereof to enhance mounting rigidity subject only to said pivotal movement of said lamp socket means.

12. The combination of claim 8 wherein transverse partitioning is provided integrally to one side of platforming, said transverse partitioning having a length greater than that of each lamp socket means as a shield for terminal means fitted adjacent thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,690,861 10/ 1954 Tupper.

2,741,747 4/1956 Woofter 339-128 2,878,456 3/1959 Cromier 339-44 3,027,537 3/1962 Hess et al 339-128 X MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Examiner. 

1. STRUCTURE FOR USE ON A VEHICLE COMPONENT SUCH AS A DASHBOARD PANEL WHERE ACCESS SPACE IS LIMITED, AN IMPROVED LAMP SOCKET ACCESS STRUCTURE COMPRISING, AN INSULATING MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE LAMP SOCKET PORTION INTEGRAL THEREWITH THROUGH LOCATED TO HAVE A CUTOUT ALONG SUBSTANTIALLY THREE SIDES THEREOF, AND AN INTEGRAL HINGE POR- 